Defining Abnormalities

• What is the definition of psychopathology?

  Psychopathology is the study of psychological disorders.
• Why is it difficult to define behavior as "abnormal"?

  It is challenging to determine when behavior differs from what is considered normal.
• What are the four main definitions of abnormality?

  1. Deviation from Social Norms
  2. Failure to Function Adequately
  3. Deviation from Ideal Mental Health (Marie Jahoda, 1958)
  4. Statistical Infrequency
• What does "deviation from social norms" refer to?

  It refers to behavior that violates unwritten rules about what is acceptable in society.
• What is a social norm?

  A social norm is an unwritten rule about what is acceptable within a particular society.
• What is cultural relativism in the context of abnormality?

  Cultural relativism is the idea that social norms differ between cultures, affecting definitions of normality and abnormality.
• Give an example of cultural relativism regarding homosexuality.

  In approximately 75 countries, homosexuality is illegal and considered abnormal, while in many other countries it is deemed normal.
• What is a limitation of the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality?

  There is no global standard for defining behavior as normal, leading to inconsistencies.
• What does the failure to function adequately (FFA) definition state?


  A person is considered abnormal if they cannot cope with the demands of everyday life and live independently.
• What behaviors might indicate someone is failing to function adequately?

  Inability to maintain hygiene, nutrition, hold a job, or maintain relationships.
• What are the signs proposed by Rosenhan and Seligman to determine failure to function adequately?

  Not conforming to interpersonal rules, experiencing severe personal distress, and exhibiting irrational or dangerous behavior.
• What is a limitation of the FFA definition regarding individual differences?


  It fails to account for individual differences such as gender, age, and culture in responses to environments.
• What is a strength of the FFA definition?

  It considers the subjective personal experience of the patient.
• How does the FFA definition's subjectivity affect its reliability?

  It allows for variance in diagnosis from patient to patient, reducing reliability as a diagnostic tool.
• What is the challenge in distinguishing between failure to function adequately and deviation from social norms?

  It can be difficult to determine when someone is truly failing to function versus simply deviating from social norms.
• What is the deviation from ideal mental health definition?

  It defines abnormality by identifying what constitutes good mental health and recognizing deviations from this ideal.
• What is a limitation of Jahoda's definition of ideal mental health?

  It sets unrealistically high standards for mental health, making it difficult for many to meet these criteria.
• How does Jahoda's definition take a positive stance?

  It focuses on positive and desirable behaviors rather than just negative ones.
• What is a criticism of Jahoda's criteria regarding cultural relativism?

  Some criteria may be considered Western-centric and not applicable to collectivist cultures.
• What does the statistical infrequency definition state?

  A behavior is seen as abnormal if it is statistically uncommon or not frequently observed.
• How is the average IQ related to the statistical infrequency definition?

  The average IQ is approximately 100, with 65% of the population having an IQ between 85 and 115, making those outside this range statistically uncommon.
• What is a limitation of the statistical infrequency definition regarding misdiagnosis?

  Some common behaviors, like depression, may be statistically normal, while desirable behaviors, like high IQ, may be deemed abnormal.
• What is a drawback of labeling individuals as abnormal based on statistical infrequency?

  Labeling can cause distress and negative effects on self-esteem, regardless of the individual's actual functioning.
• What is a strength of the statistical infrequency definition?

  It has real-life applications in diagnosing abnormality and assessing severity of symptoms.
• What are the four definitions of abnormality and their evaluations?

  1. Deviation from Social Norms

  • Evaluation: Cultural relativism, hindsight bias, not a sole explanation.

  1. Failure to Function Adequately

  • Evaluation: Individual differences, subjective experience, difficulty distinguishing from social norms.

  1. Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

  • Evaluation: Unrealistic criteria, positive and holistic stance, cultural relativism.

  1. Statistical Infrequency

  • Evaluation: Misdiagnosis, labeling issues, real-life application.